A New Idea for Starting a Chain Maille Weave

by Marilyn Gardiner

Starting some chain maille weaves can be very difficult to keep in order. Here's a great idea for keeping them neat so they don't just become a messy jumble. And this gives you something substantial to grip while you weave!

Instructions

One way to do this is by punching holes is an old credit card or loyalty card for the starting rings. Another is to wrap them in painter’s tape so they don’t move.

While browsing in a craft store I noticed a package of 10 small squares of flexible, plastic canvas (7-count) intended for needlepoint. It is very inexpensive. I also found Pinterest pages and e-books with tons of creative ideas for using them.

I bought a package and started experimenting. First, I cut the 4” square into 4 pieces.

Here’s how I started the European 4-1 weave (one ring at a time method):

You’ll notice that I used 5 extra rings to attach the starting row to the canvas, and that I used alternate holes. (There are 7 holes to the inch.) The main copper rings are 18 awg, 3.5 mm ID. The attaching rings are 4 mm ID. I tried adding the starting row to the canvas, but it was too tight.

Marilyn Gardiner's A New Idea for Starting a Chain Maille Weave - , Chain Maille Jewelry, Design, Chainmail

Next I thought I’d try a round weave: Roundmaille.

There are 3 connection points for this weave, so I positioned the first two at a corner so I could use 2 edge holes. Then the third point of the triangle was easy to place.

I could also use this method to start Turkish Roundmaille and Inverted Roundmaille.

Marilyn Gardiner's A New Idea for Starting a Chain Maille Weave - , Chain Maille Jewelry, Design, Roundmaille

The third example is an advanced level weave called Oops.

I used 16 awg, 5 mm ID rings, and it worked perfectly to add the starting row directly to the canvas, without skipping holes or it being too tight.

I cut the 4 inch squares into 4 pieces, but now I can see that they could be much smaller and still work well.

I plan to continue looking back at weaves I teach to see if this canvas can improve the ease of beginning a new weave for students.

Marilyn Gardiner's A New Idea for Starting a Chain Maille Weave - , Chain Maille Jewelry, Design, Chainmaille

Materials

No materials listed

Tools

flexible, plastic canvas intended for needlepoint.

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each

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Category: Chain Maille
Technique(s): Design

Reviews

Marilyn Gardiner

I am a teacher who worked for many years as a teacher librarian and educational computer consultant. As part of my job I taught teachers and principals how to use computers in the classroom and I developed curriculum modules.I love jewelry, color, pattern, and design. It is thrilling to create something new that others love too. And I truly enjoy breaking down something complex into an easy-to-learn sequence that I can share with others, whether in print or in a classroom.

During the past 10 years I have energetically and enthusiastically developed my beading and chain mail skills and used my teaching background with adults to develop bead work and chain mail kits with step-by-step instructions that really work. I know that the kits have good quality instructions because of the positive feedback from students I teach and from customers who buy the kits at shows and from my online store.I regularly teach classes locally in Toronto ON, as well as occasionally in Mississauga, Barrie, Temple TX and San Antonio TX.I have been a vendor at bead shows in Toronto ON, Guelph ON, Montreal QC, Ottawa ON, Calgary AB, Halifax NS, Milwaukee WI, and Tucson AZ - and I teach a full slate of classes at these shows. My website has details.

In 2007 I was "Folk Artist in Residence - Beadwork" at the Joseph Schneider Haus in Kitchener ON. This involved setting up a series of lectures, seminars, and demonstrations throughout the year. There was also a good-sized gallery exhibit of beadwork that featured my work and included the contemporary and historical work of many others. The residency resulted in several articles in the local media.

I later completed a bead work commission for the museum, and some of my work is sold in the museum gift shop.I have published projects available online at Beading Times, Bead Bugle, All Free Jewelry, and The Beading Gem's Journal. Some of my kits are sold online through Beadfx. Kalmbach Publishing published my first book, Modern Chain Mail Jewelry, in 2015.Most of my time at present is directed to creating new chain mail projects.

I am currently working on several new designs that will be ready as kits and for teaching this fall. Each of these will have an Argentium sterling and a copper or Jeweler's Bronze version, and a couple will be silver filled 925/10. This will bring my chain mail kit total to more than 150. (My husband makes all our jump rings and packages the kits. Good man!)

Website: www.marilyngardiner.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/GardinerDesign